Delhi Police has busted an organised cyber fraud network that allegedly used fake websites resembling official transport service portals to cheat people across the country, arresting 24-year-old Anshul Yadav, an MCA graduate from Etawah in Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the case.
Investigators alleged that the accused was operating a fraudulent website named “Parivahan.online” and targeting citizens in the name of vehicle number plate booking and other transport-related services. Officials said the network was active across multiple states and functioned through fake domains, mule accounts and digital tools.
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Fake Transport Portal Used to Target Citizens
The case came to light after a complainant searched online for vehicle number plate booking services and found a website that appeared similar to an official government transport portal. Believing it to be genuine, he entered his vehicle details and made an online payment of ₹1,099.
Shortly afterwards, additional payments were allegedly demanded from him on different pretexts, raising suspicion. The victim later filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, after which police began an investigation.
According to investigators, the website had been deliberately designed to resemble an official government portal. Its layout, colour scheme, logos and service sections were allegedly arranged in a manner that could mislead users into believing the platform was authentic.
Technical Probe Links Accused to Fraud Network
A case was registered at the Cyber Police Station, followed by a detailed technical investigation. Police examined domain registration records, IP logs, admin access details, mobile numbers and banking transactions linked to the website.
Technical analysis reportedly established multiple digital links connecting the operation to Anshul Yadav. Investigators also found that money collected from victims was routed through several bank accounts before allegedly reaching the accused.
Officials said the network used mule bank accounts, payment gateway integrations and backend administrative systems to manage the cyber fraud racket. During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to having technical knowledge of website designing, domain hosting, backend management and online payment systems.
Fake Website Files Recovered During Raids
Police said the accused had allegedly created several other fake websites resembling government portals and commercial service platforms. Investigators also found that he allegedly stored and circulated ready-to-use ZIP files and website source codes to other cyber criminals, enabling them to quickly create similar fraudulent portals.
During raids, police recovered two laptops, two mobile phones, ZIP and source files linked to fake websites, screenshots of saved passwords, login credentials and multiple domain-related digital records from the accused’s possession.
Investigators suspect the network may not have been limited to one fake portal and are examining whether complaints from different parts of the country are linked to the same cyber fraud module. Cyber experts have advised citizens to verify website URLs, domain authenticity and payment requests before using any online government-related service.
